"Intel" and phone contact rules and thoughts

[DarkSkies]

This is one of those 800 lb gorilla in the room things.

[Monty]

Easy for me (basically none). I don't carry a phone while fishing. If I hear (before going out) that there are fish in a certain area, I will consider fishing the area, but only if it is an area that does not draw a crowd. I pass general fishing information to an extremely limited amount of friends (can count on less than one hand).
I kinda look down on cell phone use while fishing in terms of notifying others. I figure if I am out there and into fish and someone else in the area starts getting into fish and calls others, he is basically screwing me.

[stripermania]

Here is the secret of intel and phones:

If more than one person knows it is not a secret!

You might be telling one or two friends but he might have one or two "best buddies" as well. So of course the chain starts and the next thing you know your spot loaded with fish is now loaded with "best buddy" anglers.

Not me - I don't participate in intel.

[DarkSkies]

Here is the secret of intel and phones:

If more than one person knows it is not a secret!

You might be telling one or two friends but he might have one or two "best buddies" as well. So of course the chain starts and the next thing you know your spot loaded with fish is now loaded with "best buddy" anglers.

Not me - I don't participate in intel.

Great point. Monty and Stripermania, I started this thread because a friend and I were talking about how he helped this guy. The guy hadn't caught a fish in 2 weeks. my friend knew that, and called him into some fish he was working one day. Soon as the guy gets ther and sees the fish, he picks up his cell and calls another friend.

My friend said "Put the damn phone down! I didn't call you here to get swarmed by guys and get crowded out, I was trying to help you break the skunk!"

Joe and I developed some sources over the years, many of whom never use the internet, or post reports. They don't have time to be tackle shop heroes, they just wanna fish, and be left alone.

I couldn't understand why this guy wouldn't understand basic etiquette, so I thought I'd throw down some of the guidelines I follow.

To me, seems like common sense, why would you even need to post them up, so stupid.

But apparently there people out there who were not taught these basic things of respect and appreciation in the houses they grew up in. That's the only explanation I can think of.

[DarkSkies]

Some things Ive learned about sharing intel over the years. Feel free to post up some of yours:

*If a friend calls you down and he's into fish, respect the fact that he called ya. Don't blow it by picking up a phone. If you call me and at the end of the conversation I bark at ya to not call anyone on your way down, don't take it personal, just respect it.


*If you're into fish and the spot is small, you're the only one there, feel free to call the world down there, if that's what ya want. But if there are a few other guys who were there at the same time you were, have some respect for THOSE guys before you call people down. Maybe ask yourself if other people get there, will it be a nightmare to fish? I carry a phone for family emergencies, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna be the one to crowd up a jetty.


* Develop your own intel.
As I said, I share intel with a trusted group of friends, and they trust me. But if I want something, on the way down to fishin I will hit a few spots, or maybe 10, or 15. I want to see for myself what's happening, and where I can come back to if things don't work out with Plan A.


*Bring something to the table.
I don't mind helping a new guy, especially if I see he's tryin his best, and it just ain't workin for him. Every time I make a phone call I try to have a piece of the puzzle that the person I'm talking to can use. I did my homework, drove the miles, and want to provide something of value for any intel I might receive. Makes the people you're talking to understand that you're not a selfish user.

I have a rule of thumb with helping a new guy. I try my best, but help them to develop their skills so they know what to look for. As they call me, I ask them what they noticed about the area they are in. If they call me 3 times, looking for intel only, and can't bring something back in return, sometimes I get a little "busy" when the next call from them comes in.



So - if this has happened to anyone out there, or anyone who recognizes themselves on either side of these intel transactions, let's hear your opinion.

It's hard to believe, but there are some guys out there that need to see and read this stuff.

[jonthepain]

I never volunteer intel.

When asked for intel, I lie.

That's how the oldtimers taught me, back before cell phones and the internet. If they were right then, (and they were,) they are stil right but squared.